Exploring Pennsylvania doesn’t have to cost a fortune. In fact, you can visit some of the most beautiful and most poignant places in Pennsylvania while spending very little out of pocket. Start planning your next adventure with one of these 11 inexpensive road trips in Pennsylvania.

1. Pine Creek Gorge – Watson Township, PA 17740
Flickr/J. Stephen Conn
Experience the spectacular beauty of Pine Creek Gorge, aptly referred to as the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania, with a trip to either Colton Point State Park or Leonard Harrison State Park. Both parks offer jaw dropping views of the nearly 160,000-acre gorge that goes down 1,450 feet at its deepest point. Hiking, biking, and picnicking are also popular activities at the state parks. Admission to both parks is free. Go here for the official website of Leonard Harrison State Park or here for Colton Point State Park.
2. Gettysburg National Military Park – 1195 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Flickr/Jen Goellnitz
Spend an insightful day exploring Gettysburg National Military Park. Go horseback riding, stop by the Visitor Center, or hike through the park. Entrance to the park and the Visitors Center is free. However, admission to the museum costs $9 for visitors 13 and older and $7 for children between six and 12. Learn more on the official website of Gettysburg National Military Park.
3. Bushkill Falls – 138 Bushkill Falls Trail, Bushkill, PA 18324
Flickr/Tom Simpson
Drink in the tranquil beauty of the waterfalls that dot the 300-acre Bushkill Falls. The private park features eight waterfalls, picturesque walkways, paddle boats, miniature golf, and a gemstone mine. General admission to Bushkill Fall pays for the cost of the park's upkeep. Find the current hours and admission prices on the official website of Bushkill Falls.
4. Lake Tobias Wildlife Park – 760 Tobias Road, Halifax, PA 17032
Facebook/Lake Tobias Wildlife Park
Embark on an old-fashioned safari, or stop by the petting zoo at Lake Tobias Wildlife Park. Numerous animals - African lions, peacocks, red kangaroos, and capybaras - call the wildlife park home. Enjoy a refreshing snack at one of the four concession stands in the park. Stop by the official website of Lake Tobias Wildlife Park for current hours and admission prices.
5. Knoebels Amusement Park – 391 Knoebels Boulevard, Elysburg, PA 17824
Facebook/Knoebels Amusement Resort
Spend a thrilling day at Knoebels, one of Pennsylvania's most popular amusement parks. Climb aboard such thrill rides as the Flyer, the Fandango, or the Giant Flume or one of the family rides, including the bumper cars, the antique cars, and the Grand Carousel. Admission to the park is free. Visitors can pay for individual tickets or an all-day ride pass, which varies in price depending on the time of the day. For more information, including ticket prices, all-day ride pass prices, and hours, head over to the official website of Knoebels Amusement Park.

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6. Little League World Series – 570 E Central Avenue, South Williamsport, PA 17702
Flickr/Sam Nabi
Watch one of the biggest sporting events of the year when the Little League World Series arrives in Williamsport during the summertime. Tickets to the Little League World Series are free. Stop by the official website of the Little League World Series to learn more about upcoming tournaments and how to get tickets when they are released.
7. Ricketts Glen State Park – 695 State Route 487, Benton, PA 17814
Flickr/Brook Ward
Discover stunning beauty at Ricketts Glen State Park, home to 22 jaw dropping waterfalls. The sprawling 13,050-acre state park also features hiking trails, a sandy beach, horseback riding, boating, fishing, and camping. Admission to Pennsylvania's state parks are free. However, you may have to pay camping, swimming, or other fees at the park. Learn more on the official website of Rickett's Glen State Park.
8. Presque Isle State Park – Peninsula Drive & Fisher Drive, Erie, PA 16505
Flickr/David Fulmer
Spend a leisurely day lounging on one of nearly a dozen beaches at Presque Isle State Park. On the edge of Lake Erie, the breathtaking state park offers plenty to do, including swimming, biking, hiking, boating, picnicking, and hunting. Certified scuba divers are also permitted to scuba dive provided they register at the park's main office. (Scuba divers must be certified and remain in marked areas.) Admission to Presque Isle State Park is free. Find more on the official website of Presque Isle State Park.
9. Kinzua Bridge State Park – 296 Viaduct Road, Mt Jewett, PA 16740
Flickr/faithnow22
Walk along the Kinzua Bridge Skywalk, a former railroad bridge that was partially destroyed by a tornado, where you'll be treated to jaw dropping views. Stand atop the glass floor at the end of the 600-foot skywalk where you can look directly down 301 feet to the forest floor below. The park itself offers hiking and picnicking. Admission to the park is free. Check out the official website of Kinzua Bridge State Park.
10. Indian Echo Caverns – 368 Middletown Road, Hummelstown, PA 17036
Flickr/Todd Van Hoosear
Head underground to stay cool, especially during the summer, and explore Indian Echo Caverns. (The cave maintains a temperature of around 52 degrees Fahrenheit all year around.) Join the 45-minute guided tour that will give you a unique view of the cave that dates back 440 million years. Stop by the gift shop after your tour. For current hours and admission prices, stop by the official website of Indian Echo Caverns.
11. Cherry Springs State Park – 4639 Cherry Springs Road, Coudersport, PA 16915
Flickr/steve eng
Stargaze at Cherry Springs State Park, which offers the most unobstructed views of the nighttime sky on the Eastern Seaboard. The remote state park features both the Night Sky Viewing Area and the Astronomy Field, the latter of which allows stargazers to remain in the field overnight. Cherry Springs State Park also offers camping, picnicking, and hiking. Admission to Cherry Springs State Park is free. Come see why it's one of the best inexpensive road trips in Pennsylvania! Here's the official website of Cherry Springs State Park.

Having fun doesn’t mean breaking the bank when you set off on these inexpensive road trips in Pennsylvania. Here are 10 amazing state parks in PA where you can have fun without spending a lot of money.

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inexpensive road trips in Pennsylvania

Beth Price-Williams | October 24, 2020

What can I do with kids in Pennsylvania?

Families can find a ton of fun and unique things to do in Pennsylvania, whether you’re looking for an activity that will take up a few hours or will fill an entire day. Channel your creativity at Color Me Mine in Bethlehem, where the whole family can choose and paint their own pottery. If you’re a fan of pretzels, plan a tour of Julius Sturgis Pretzel Company in Lititz. You can go on a tour, learn how to twist pretzels, and even sample a few. Please Touch Museum, on the other hand, is perfect for kiddos who are asked to “please touch” the exhibits.

Are there any animal encounters in Pennsylvania?

Day trips in Pennsylvania offer some of the best ways to explore the state. If you love animals, you’ll discover quite a few animal encounters. Wolf Sanctuary, in Lititz, for example, offers an up-close view of wolves who have been rescued and now live safely at the sanctuary. Zoo America, in Hershey, is a fun destination that you can make even more fun by signing up for a behind the scenes animal encounter with such animals as otters, bears, and reptiles. Depending on what tour you sign up for, you might even get to pet a reptile and feed a few of the animals.

What are the best free things to do in Pennsylvania?

Finding cheap things to do in Pennsylvania is good, but it’s even better when they’re free. We live in the same state as the world’s most famous groundhog, and you can visit Punxsutawney Phil in his hometown. He and his wife, Phyllis, live at the library, and you’ll find other fun, free activities too – including stopping by the numerous Phil statues in town. Benezette is the perfect spot for viewing elk, and you can do that at the free Elk Country Visitors Center. For a bit of history, stop by the Liberty Bell Center in Philadelphia.

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Explore Pennsylvania

Featured Addresses
760 Tobias Road, Halifax, PA 17032
138 Bushkill Falls Trail, Bushkill, PA 18324
695 State Route 487, Benton, PA 17814
570 E Central Avenue, South Williamsport, PA 17702
391 Knoebels Boulevard, Elysburg, PA 17824
1195 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg, PA 17325
4639 Cherry Springs Road, Coudersport, PA 16915
368 Middletown Road, Hummelstown, PA 17036
296 Viaduct Road, Mt Jewett, PA 16740